The Central Role of Theory in Qualitative Research

International Journal of Qualitative Methods

Christopher S.Collins¹ 

关键词: critical theory;    interpretive description;    qualitative evaluation;    qualitative meta-analysis/synthesis;    methods in qualitative inquiry;   

DOI  :  10.1177/1609406918797475

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Sage Journals

【 摘 要 】

The use of theory in science is an ongoing debate in the production of knowledge. Related to qualitative research methods, a variety of approaches have been set forth in the literature using the terms conceptual framework, theoretical framework, paradigm, and epistemology. While these approaches are helpful in their own context, we summarize and distill them in order to build upon the case that a balanced and centered use of the theoretical framework can bolster the qualitative approach. Our project builds on the arguments that epistemology and methodological rigor are essential by adding the notion that the influence of theory permeates almost every aspect of the study—even if the author does not recognize this influence. Compilers of methodological approaches have referred to the use of theory as analogous to a coat closet in which different items can be housed or a lens through which the literature and data in the study are viewed. In this article, we offer an evaluative quadrant for determining the ap...

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC